Public funeral for Chinese bishop forbidden by Communists

On August 31st Walt noted the death of Chinese Catholic bishop John Yang Shudao, who had for decades been a victim -- one of many -- of Communist harrassment and persecution. Today the Fides news agency reports on his funeral, held on September 1st.

They say Bishop Yang's funeral was “obliged to be held in a private manner and under strict surveillance of security forces.” The scene must have been like that at the funeral of a New York mafioso! Such is the "freedom of religion" guaranteed by the Chinese constitution.